NEW TO THE BOARD – Long time political activist Richard McCormick was sworn in as Zoning Board Commissioner this week. Pictured here is McCormick is being sworn in by Jersey City Deputy Clerk Sean J Gallagher.

With modifications to the original concept, the City Council voted last week to approve the closing of a portion of Newark Avenue near Grove Street in order to create a pedestrian mall. The block-long section of Newark Avenue would be closed to traffic from 3 to 10 p.m., a move that would benefit many of the local eateries in the area. In order to deal with the impact on a number of doctors’ offices and other businesses impacted by the change, the council also approved additional loading zones, handicap zones, and established protocols that would allow for emergency vehicles to get into the area if needed. This will be a test project that will be reviewed after Oct. 31.

Fulop appoints new chief judge

Mayor Steven Fulop has appointed Carlo Abad as chief municipal judge for Jersey City. In other actions, Fulop appointed Hannah H. Iglesias, Mary Bloom, and Nicholas Jayme to the Ethical Standards Board, and Darrell Laval to replace Frank Pabon on the Jersey City Alcoholic Beverage Control Board.

Sugartown 5k to be held in Liberty State Park

Sugartown Bakery Café is hosting a charity 5k run/walk on Sunday, July 20, to benefit WomenRising and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Hudson County at Liberty State Park. The race will be officially timed by CompuScore, USATF-certified. Check-in is at 7:30 a.m., and the race starts an hour later. Registration is $30 advance, $35 on race day. For information on the race, call 201-333-6600, go to sugartownbakery.com, email Sugartowncharity5Krun@gmail.com or register at Compuscore.com.

CarePoint names new pediatric physician

CarePoint Health announced that a leading pediatric physician, Dr. Jose Texidor, has joined its network, CarePoint Health Medical Group.

Dr. Jose M. Texidor, certified in pediatrics, attended Manhattanville College, the Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara School of Medicine and New York Medical College. He completed his Pediatric Residency at Jersey Shore Medical Center. In addition to his work with CarePoint Health - Hoboken University Medical Center, he also in private practice at CarePoint Pediatrics, located at 5 Marineview Plaza, in Hoboken.

Groove on Grove next Wednesday

Groove on Grove will hold a two-hour amplified show on July 23 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Grove Street PATH plaza. Stone Guitars with Richard Carrick with perform from 6 to 7 p.m.., followed by Cascades by Erik DeLuca

Jersey Pride fundraiser

Four nights of events to raise funds for LGBT Teen Group will be held at the Gia Gelato and Café staring with movie night on July 29 at 7:30 p.m.; music night featuring spoken sound and cabaret music by Howard Richman on July 30 at 7:30 p.m.; comedy night with Richard Kamco, Matteo Lane, Tom Ragu and others on July 31 at 7:30 p.m., and art night curated by Darrin DeField including artist Beth Achenback, Christopher Santos and others on Aug. 1 at 7:30 p.m.